Manly have pulled off a sensational 14-point comeback to claim their first ever under-20s title with last gasp 20-18 win over Parramatta at ANZ Stadium.
In a fightback that befitted a finale for the 10-year history of the now axed competition, the Sea Eagles recovered from a 14-0 deficit after just 14 minutes to stun the Eels.
After scores were levelled 14-14 early in the second half, the Eels held out wave after wave of Sea Eagles’ attack before they took the lead back in the 68th minute through winger Greg Leleisiuao.
But in what would be the last play of the game, Manly hooker Manase Fainu found barnstorming prop Keith Titmuss, who crashed his way over next to the left post with barely two minutes on the clock.
Centre Tevita Funa then slotted the conversion over as the fulltime siren sounded to give Manly the lead for the only time in the match.
It capped off a remarkable run for the Sea Eagles, who finished with the wooden spoon last year and limped into the finals in eighth place.
But Manly can finally claim a NYC (National Youth Competition) title after finishing runners-up to Penrith in 2015.
Sunday’s result marked the lowest-scoring grand final in Under-20s history but no-one among the Sea Eagles cared as they smothered Funa under a pile of players’ bodies when he raised the flags. He had also scored his side’s opening try.
Halfback Cade Cust was awarded the Jack Gibson medal for man of the match, after he was involved in both Manly’s first half tries.
He first threw a crucial pass before centre Funa crossed, before he kicked for Bilal Maarbani to get the ball down within centimetres of the deadball line on the halftime siren.
Meanwhile Parramatta, coached by Luke Burt who was on the losing end of two NRL grand finals (2001, 2009) for the Eels, were left to rue a series of missed opportunities on Sunday.
They finished the season fourth on the ladder but completed at just 60 per cent in the second half of the grand final as they threw away pre-match favouritism.